01 16 08 Special Relationships


“Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone,
especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.”
(Galatians 6:10 NLT)

Paul is writing to the Galatians who seem to be swayed by a perverted form of the Gospel (Galatians 1:6- ). He warned them to adhere to the teachings they first learned; that it was the blood of Christ that saved them and His Spirit which they received by faith, not by any physical work or ritual (Galatians 3:1-5) As believers, we are free from the constraints of the world (Galatians 5:13) and owe nothing to one another but love. We have a special bond, SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS with one another through Christ. We are no longer bound by laws, ordinances, and ritual: outward signs only. Paul goes on to list the fruit that the Spirit of God grants the believer: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and so on (Galatians 5:22-23) Physical works, acts of the flesh and religious ritual are merely for the outward eye to see. They get us caught up in doing rather than being! We can do nothing of our own power to have a relationship with the Savior but believe His Word and repent of our sin.

“Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family.
Revere God. Respect the government.”
(1 Peter 2:17 the Message)

We are saved from our sin to do good for others. We can not do good to become saved! Our works will be a sign to others that we are just a bit different; motivated by something other than selfish gain and vain applause. We as believers are to treat everyone with respect and dignity, as Paul and Peter reiterate. We are to respect all authority, unless of course it causes us to go against Godly principles. However, above those relationships, we are to love our spiritual family, those who are of one mind, one Spirit, one faith with us. Finally, we are to revere God, honor Him, fear Him and give Him our highest respect and adoration. It is because of His love for us and His great grace and mercy that we have these SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS!

The bond between believers should cause those in a world devoid of committed and trustworthy relationships to say, “I need that kind of friend, that kind of family, that kind of love.” How are we dealing with our SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS? Are they in the proper perspective?